Homemade Baby Wipes

I use cloth diapers most of the time but until now, I haven't used cloth wipes.  I've been thinking about it but we buy our wipes at Costco and it seems like we never run out.  I was thinking the other day, why does that have to stop me?  I'd like to have some backup disposable wipes anyways so I'm not worried about running out!


Cloth wipes are somewhat expensive to buy and very very easy to make.  Like seriously, if you have never sewn before, this is the project for you to start with.  I used a flannel receiving blanket to make my wipes.  I was thinking it would have been more fun to find a flannel sheet with a cool print at a thrift store.  Of course, that would make a TON of wipes.


I made my wipes about 8x8 inches (some a little bit smaller since the blanket wasn't exactly the right size).  That's a size that fits very well folded in half into a regular wipes box.  I plan on just putting solution in the box with the wipes so using a wipes box will make sure that they don't dry out.

Just cut the blanket (or sheet if you want a lot!) into squares.

A blanket will give you a pretty large stack of wipes.

Zig-zag stitch around all the sides of the wipes.  That's it!

Note:  Another cool thing about my wipes?  Years ago my great grandmother gave me her sewing machine and a bunch of her sewing things.  For this project, I used up most the thread on two of her bobbins.  Notice that there are 12 different colors of thread?  That is just most of the thread from only 2 bobbins!  It seems that she never took the thread off when she filled her bobbin with a new color.  Too cool!

Linked at http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

Baked Rigatoni

I love casseroles and I love pasta.  This is both.  It is delicious and creamy.  There is melty cheese.  Oh, and I didn't have to bake it in the oven.  That is important right now.

I like rigatoni in this recipe.  It is big enough to get sauce inside and it also get a little bit smushed in the casserole.  Yum.

Note:  I didn't actually measure any of these ingredients.  If you want a little more or a little less of something, go for it!

Ingredients
1/2 pound Italian sausage
24 oz pasta sauce
1/4 cup sour cream
8 oz shredded mozzarella
1/2 pound rigatoni

Boil your pasta.  Meanwhile, cook your Italian sausage, breaking it up into smallish pieces.  Mix cooked Italian sausage, pasta sauce, sour cream, and most of the mozzarella in a microwave and oven safe casserole dish.  Stir in the cooked rigatoni.

Microwave for about 5 minutes with the lid on until it is heated through.  Toss the remaining mozzarella on top and broil in the oven for about 5 more minutes with the lid off until the cheese is melted and golden.

Easy Chocolate Ganache

We had a killer night and it has been a long day.  Little started crying at around 3:30 am and would only sleep in my arms with me sitting up from that point on.  This morning I had a pounding headache and very achy neck and shoulders.

By the time the afternoon rolled around, I was worn out.  Little refused to nap so we cleaned the kitchen.  Once the kitchen was looking cleaner, I thought, why not make some cupcakes?  That was clearly an idea inspired by exhaustion.

Well, the cupcakes came out of the oven and Little finally went down for a nap.  I frosted the cupcakes, cleaned the kitchen up again, and decided to make some ganache to make my cupcakes extra special.  (Note: this was my first time piping on the frosting.  I don't make cupcakes often at all and I normally just spread the frosting on with a knife.  Delicious but not nearly as nice looking.)  Ganache can be used for all sorts of things but I love the way it looks on cupcakes and cakes.  So fancy!

Notice Little supervising from her high chair?

Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Bring cream to a boil.  Pour over chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes.  Whisk until smooth.  Let cool stirring frequently.  Use immediately.

Linked at http://www.iheartnaptime.net/